Guatemala: Antigua, Panajachel

Guatemala was interesting, we spent a couple of days here mostly doing activities. We went horseback riding through coffee plantations and got to see life in the day of a local. Also we did a challenging bike ride from Ixmche to Panajachel. I used the following tour company which I'd totally recommend - it's reasonably priced and the tour guides were great: http://guatemalaventures.com/.

As for the rest of Guatemala, I loved the colorful outfits, the head basket balancing act and the architecture. A friend had been here earlier in the year and was able to recommend some great places to stay and see, which helped immensely. Be sure to check out Casa Santo Domingo - it's beautiful!!! The rooms are super quaint and there's a museum on the property: http://www.casasantodomingo.com.gt/

People: I thought the folks were pretty nice for the most part. In Panajachel, the largest of 12 cities that surround beautiful Lake Atitlan, the vendors (and oh were there vendors) were a little too aggressive for my taste. Other than that, everyone was really nice and open to making conversation. Compared to El Salvador, I felt like more folks spoke English -- many very fluent. There were also a lot of tourists and students studying spanish here.

Culture: First off, I'm a BIG fan of Antigua's cobblestone streets - it adds so much character. Also, I like the simplicity of a small walking towns - both Antigua and Panajachel are perfect. Finally, I love colorful things and my, was Guatemala colorful. The detail of their textiles and the intricate patterns make them really one of a kind. The culture seemed very family-centric and simple - ah, so different from NY!

Food: I didn't get a chance to experience the food here since we were here for only a short amount of time.

Safety: Overall I felt like it was safe for me and my friend to travel - just the two of us. We encountered shady people every once in a while, but they were harmless. I probably wouldn't stay anywhere that didn't seem very secure since there are so many people in these cities. Things are way cheaper here so I'd put in a couple of extra dollars in lodging and stay somewhere semi-nice

El Salvador: San Salvador and Roca Sunzal

I had done quite a bit of research on El Salvador and after reading all of the books and reviews online and in travel books I decided that it was the best location for the amount of time I had to spend for a holiday.

Quite a few books and folks that haven't been to El Salvador recommended against it, especially as a female traveler, however I had so much fun and LOVED the culture, the people and the beauty of the country. The beaches were amazing!!! Palm tree lined beaches with black sand...what more could one ask for in life?

On the flipside....San Salvador is as smoggy as the books/people say it is, though it's not as touristy as the Carribean or Costa Rica, which I think makes the experience unique. Be sure to avoid cars/highways when possible - it's just noisy and unpleasant during rush hour. As with any place, take normal precautions - ask lots of questions and get recommendations from people you can trust. Also, don't roam around alone in the evenings (this should be a no brainer).

People: The people were probably the most memorable part of my trip to El Salvador. There was not a time when I felt like I was unwelcome - even though my Spanish was not the greatest; it always felt like people were engaging, kind and understanding. I think a lot of people also wanted to practice their english so it worked out for us both

Culture: Although the books I read talked about El Salvador being on the conservative side, I didn't feel that was true. It may have been since we were in the captial and nearby beach towns. My friend and I wore bikinis at the beach - this was advised against, but we didn't get funny looks or perverts hitting on us. Also, books had recommended wearing skirts at all times but there were plenty of women in pants

Food: Papusas, a staple dish in El Salvador, were interesting - they reminded me a lot of something between a nacho and a tamale. They are flat and usually have a bean, cheese or meat filling. Overall the food probably is not the most eccentric, however the people and environment make up for it.

Safety: I felt like the areas I was in were safe. Mainly I stayed in Zona Rosa while in San Salvador and the rest of the time by the coast. In the cities, there are a lot of security guards with guns and it seems weird at first, but I think it's more for show than anything. I probably wouldn't try to upset one of these guys though....